tea

What’s In My Cup? Ultimate Relaxation Tea Blend

What's In My Cup?

Sometimes I drink way too much coffee. I just think that it’s so delicious you guys, but by the 5th cup of dark roast from the french press I’ve got sweaty palms and a pulsating brain. Then I always regret going too hard on the coffee beans. Sometimes I get on my yoga mat and try to quell the anxiousness that way, but yesterday I had too much work to finish and I decided to turn to my herbs.

I crafted this cup of tea and it truly helped my guts, my brain, and my sweat glands all let go of the epic amounts of caffeine that was coursing through my veins. I added the lavender and the chamomile to aid with the rampant anxiety that goes along with heavy coffee intake. The kava is added to help relieve that ultimate headache we all know is coming once our palms get sweaty enough. Calm the system in its entirety with this blend of relaxing, delicious tea that is just perfect for the afternoon.

Simply Mix Together:

1/2 tsp dried kava root

1/4 tsp dried lavender buds

1 tsp dried chamomile flowers

Pour a mugs worth of hot boiling water over a tea ball filled with these herbs. Let them steep for about 15 minutes with an awareness that lavender can become overwhelming for some when steeped too long. As the tea is steeping take in the aromas flowing from the mug. Take 5 deep breaths with an intention of letting go. While drinking focus on the mantra: Live and Let Live. 

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What’s In My Cup? All-Around Feel Better Tea

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

This jam packed cup of tea does feature a lot of different herbs compared to my other blends but I take feeling better pretty seriously. When I feel a cold coming on or have a nagging tummy ache I almost always turn to tea. This cup is meant to build up the immune system, open a closed heart, stimulate circulation, ease a stomach cramp or ache, and reduce headache pain.

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As with all natural remedies, one cup of tea is a small piece of what it takes for strong physical health. Make sure to make this tea for one or two days and get plenty of water otherwise to help the cells of the body do their work. I’d also recommend upping the veggie intake, the best bet is to add one nutrient dense vegetable to each of our three meals for a day or so. Now for the fun stuff.

Simply Mix Together:FeelBetter2.jpg

1 tsp dried elder flower

1/2 tsp dried purple echinacea

1/4 tsp dried rose hips

1/4 tsp dried hibiscus

1/2 dried peppermint

1 tsp Elderberry syrup

Put all of the dry ingredients into a tea ball and place into a big ol’ mug. Pour at least 6 ounces of boiling, not tepid, water over the tea ball. Pour the Elderberry syrup into the cup at this time and give it a couple of good stirs. Let the aromas of these flowers and herbs wash over our senses as you settle in to let the mug cool. Steep about 15 minutes, hibiscus can be too sour when oversteeped so be aware of a changing scent with long steeping.

While enjoying your cup sit with the mantra: I am strong.

 

 

What’s In My Cup? Digest & Detox Tea

What's In My Cup?

Since adding lemongrass to my home made face wash I’ve been really loving experimenting with the bright, vibrant flavor it offers. This tea is great for the afternoon to get everything moving through the system while also mellowing out the mind into the evening time. Lemongrass and lavender help with digestion and both chamomile and lavender are relaxing. Enjoy feeling detoxed and loosey goosey after enjoying this cup.DetoxDigestion

Simply Mix Together:

  • 1/2 tsp dried lavender buds
  • 1 tsp dried chamomile buds
  • 1/2 tsp dried lemon grass

Pour boiling water over all of the herbs in a tea ball into a big mug. Let steep for about 15 minutes, the lavender can begin to get pungently floral so be aware not to steep too long. While holding the mug let all the events of the day wash over you, if they stick, honor those thoughts and then let them go. Focus on detoxing the body and mind as the cup steeps and the linalool and limonene being to take hold of the mind.

Focus on the mantra: live and let live.

What’s In My Cup? Ultimate Sleepy Time Tea

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

While I use cannabis medicinally I don’t want to ever have a dependence on it, which is why tolerance breaks are important. When I’m beginning a tolerance break I have A LOT of trouble sleeping and it makes the whole experience a bit more unbearable. When this is the case I supplement the cannabis for some lightly medicated stem tea to give my mind and body that little kick it needs to get to sleep.  I tend to have just enough cannabis flavor and mellowing effects with out milk but those with a higher tolerance or more intense insomnia will want to add just a bit of fat to their cup to ensure that the body can soak up the THC.

SleepyStemTea

Simply Mix Together

10 cannabis stems [fresh or preserved in an airtight jar]

1 tsp dried chamomile flowers

1/2 tsp dried valerian

1/2 tsp dried skullcap

1 tsp dried kava root

Mix these herbs in a tea ball and place the ball into your most large, comforting mug. Pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water over the ball and let the herbs steep as long as you’d like, at the least 15 minutes. If you add milk to your tea add it after about 15 minutes so that it doesn’t curdle. As the tea steeps evoking aromas will wash over you. If troublesome thoughts arise spend a moment with them and then let them go. Snuggle up in bed with your mug and a novel, don’t choose a bedtime book that is an adventure or thriller to ensure relaxation in the mind.While sitting with your cup meditate on the mantra: Be Here Now. Shout out to Ram Dass ❤

As you lay down to sleep lay on your back with arms spread lightly to your sides. With each breath imagine a pocket of energy, first in your right shoulder, to your throat, to your left shoulder, to your upper left leg, to your upper right leg. Continue focusing on this little energy ball in a circle through these 5 points, this will bring wandering energy to your heart and relax the body in the process.

 

What’s In My Cup? Tea for Healthy Guts

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

We went on a trip to California last weekend and it was so much fun, my cousin was married and I saw the ocean again. When we travel we love to eat and drink the local fare,  but as two dairy free people who eat very little processed food we tend to get very sick for a week or so after we get home. This generally happens because dairy truly exists in almost everything so it’s hard to escape. Instead of lamenting about eating delicious foods I decided to hit the problem head on, so I formed another tea that will help create healthy guts and push anything through that your body may be having trouble digesting. Anyone who has recently indulged a bit too much or isn’t feeling 100% lately will enjoy the uplifting and revitalizing effects of this tea.

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Simply Mix Together:

1/2 tsp dried dandelion root

1/2 tsp dried lemon grass

1/4 tsp dried calamus root

1 tsp dried spearmint

Put all of these herbs into your tea ball and put into your favorite mug. Pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water over the tea ball and steep for 15 minutes. Remove the ball after the tea has steeped, the calamus can become overwhelming when steeped too long. While you sit with this tea, swishing around your tea ball, meditate on movement. Not just the movement around you but the movement within you. Think about the kundalini energy of the chakras and inhale the pleasant aromas wafting from your cup. Your mantra for this tea blend is: I eliminate bad, I emanate good. 

DIY Healing Citrus Face Wash for Lustrous, Clear Skin

Beauty Recipes, Going Green, Lifestyle

One by one I am replacing the products in our bathroom with homemade options. Face wash as my first because I was really upset that I battled acne for so long and their marketing tactics made me believe it was my fault because I hadn’t found the right product yet. I’ve quit dairy and my clear skin is really appreciating the gentle homemade products that I’ve been cleaning it with.

I’ve formed this face wash for oily to dry skin that is prone to breakouts. I tend to get dosed with dairy every time I eat out so it’s nice to be fighting blemishes before they even start. This combination of ingredients is meant to balance the skin’s natural oils while reducing any inflammation that may be coming out. Also the color of the stuff is just beautiful and golden like honey. Healing Citrus Facewash

Ingredients:

1/4 cup chamomile lemon grass water (Directions below)

1/4 cup Dr. Bronner’s baby castille soap

1 tsp Calendula oil

8 drops lemon essential oil

To make the chamomile lemon grass water Completely fill 1 tea ball with dried chamomile flowers and fill 1 tea ball with dried lemon grass, place both into a heat resistant measuring cup. Pour approximately 1 cup of boiling water over the tea balls and let sit for up to 24 hours. Cover with a kitchen towel to reduce the risk of anything getting in the measuring cup. The longer the steep the more the water has take on the healing properties of the herbs.

To make the Healing Citrus Facewash Gently mix all of the ingredients together and pour directly into desired container. Use in the morning and in the evening, shake before using, separation is natural. If the essential oil burns or dries you out use less and apply coconut oil after application in the evening.

What’s In My Cup? Heart Opener Tea

What's In My Cup?

Lately I’ve been working with the creator of this awesome clothing brand that is based on crystal healing through imagery. It made me super inspired to spread some information regarding opening the heart which is definitely something needed in our society. Especially as social media continues to warp us to thinking we need to constantly scrutinize and judge instead of loving and opening our arms unconditionally.

This cup of tea is a must brew for anyone who is having trouble loving others purely. Also think about enjoying this cup of tea if you need to work on loving yourself and finding your inner truth.

Simply Mix Together:

1/2 tsp dried Lavender buds

1/2 tsp dried Rose buds

just a dash dried Hibiscus flower

1 drop jasmine essential oil

Put all of these ingredients in a tea ball or muslin bag and drop them into your most beloved mug. If there is any ingredient that you absolutely love in tea then be sure to add that too, this mug is about you! Pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water over the tea ball and take note of all of the feelings that may arise. Be with those feelings, no matter how uncomfortable, and try to understand them. Opening the heart isn’t just about opening, it’s about digging around in there and unlocking the secrets to why it closed in the first place. This isn’t always a happy experience, but I guarantee that the light at the other side is worth it.

What’s In My Cup? Chakra Balancing Tea Blend

What's In My Cup?

Lately I’ve become very interested in creating recipes and tea blends that are specific to each chakra. This made me think, hey, maybe you dudes would be into a tea blend that balances the 7 main chakras of the intricate chakra system. You see, each chakra has a specific set of herbs, foods, sounds, etc. that correlate with it’s energy. For example the root chakra is stimulated and opened by red foods, bass and drum filled music and root vegetables that gain their power from the earth. With all of my studies in mind I’ve put together this great little cup of tea to help stimulate and balance each chakra with the other to better align and ignite your kundalini.

I greatly advise drinking this cup before or after a yoga class to gain more from your practice. Also, drinking this tea blend right before bed is a great time to align the chakra system and set the perfect stage for self healing in the body during the REM cycle. Enjoy calming, cleansing effects from this rainbow of flavor.

Simply Mix Together:

1.5 tsp dried spearmint

1/2 tsp dried lavender buds

1/4 tsp dried dandelion root

1/2 tsp dried lemon grass

1 fresh lemon slice

Mix those herbs into a tea ball and pour boiling water over them in your absolutely favorite mug in the cupboard. While sitting with your mug of steaming hot herbal medicine, think about each color of the rainbow. Meditate on color and just keep in mind whichever might spark a bit extra emotion, energy or joy within you. Take note of any specific feelings or memories that may arise while the tea steeps for 10 minutes. While drinking this tea I recommend resonating with the color spectrum. Just let your mind move through each color in rainbow order to bring more balance about in the chakras.

 

What’s In My Cup? Success & Vitality Tea

Lifestyle, What's In My Cup?

I’m sorry guys, it’s been so long since I shared a cup of tea with you. You see, I’ve been working with the same herbs and haven’t changed anything up in awhile. Most of my herb time is spent researching for Herb Spotlights here on the blog or brewing tea to put in my kombucha. But after spending some time brainstorming what kind of tea blends I’d like to see I decided to put a cup of success together.

There are certain herbs that have an affinity to bring success to those who utilize them correctly and I’ve taken all of the ones that would blend together in a delicious cup of tea and crafted just that. Aside form brewing up success in your life this tea blend will promote relaxation in your system while also bringing relief to a harsh respiratory system. It is also a powerful detoxification tea due to the dried dandelion and angelica roots.

Simply Mix Together:

1 tsp dried lavender

1 tsp dried licorice root

1/2 tsp dandelion

1/2 tsp angelica root

Mix these herbs in a tea ball or muslin bag and steep 10 minutes in boiling water. While steeping ponder on the area of life in which you’re looking for more success. Take in the aromas wafting towards you and be with yourself in a safe, confident place. Resonate with that confidence as you sip your cup and bring yourself back into waking life with the feeling of success, vitality and a confident self. While drinking your cup be with this mantra: I can when I believe. 

What’s In My Cup? Writer’s Block Tea Blend

What's In My Cup?

I’ve been feeling so bogged down by convention and logic lately that I can’t create anything right now. It’s no one’s fault but my own. Surprise!! it’s hard to freelance full-time and generate your own workflow. When I combined the art of writing with the necessity of making money to stay alive I compromised my ability to channel anything creative out of the pen. Where else to turn in these immensely frustrating times but back to my little jars of herbs. This is a blend dear to my heart, a blend that will help your mind heighten to the realms of the muse.

Simply mix together:

1 tsp dried rose buds

1/2 tsp dried lavender buds

1/2 tsp dried passionflower

1/4 tsp dried lemon verbena

Put all of the herbs listed into a tea ball or bag and put into your happiest, silliest mug. Pour 6-8 ounces of boiling water over the ball and sit with your steaming hot cup. Let the different scents of the concoction permeate your aura as the herbs steep. Take out the tea ball after 10-15 minutes depending on your taste preference. Both the rose and lavender can be overwhelming for anyone who is new to floral teas.

I’d recommend this cup before bed, cuddle up with your current book or while listening to your favorite podcast. Leave a journal near your bed so that you can wake up and write down your dreams. Take note the next day of anything odd or new that happens in your life. Spend the next day being completely present, and the muse will present herself. While drinking the tea sit with the mantra: Freedom is vision.